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Blackcurrants struggling and no fruit.

emma louemma lou Posts: 170
edited September 2023 in Fruit & veg
We are struggling each year with lack of blackcurrants. Last year we had our first crop but not many at all. The previous years nothing! This year they are looking pretty sad and not sure what to do with them pruning wise. Any advice would be appreciated. TIA?
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  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    This has a handy video guide. https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-blackcurrants/

  • emma louemma lou Posts: 170
    Perfect, that is a great link much appreciated.👍🏻

  • emma louemma lou Posts: 170
    I have just looked at the branches….(as per the video on this website) and there aren’t any that look nice and green or new. I think last year I pruned them hard so all the old wood is at ground level. There are lots of younger branches which have come on this year and are very tall with small shoots coming on them. Maybe I cut it too hard back last year? Also, probably due dry weather but the leaves are very crispy. Do I remove the dead leaves? Not much point watering now I suppose and wait to feed in Winter? TIA.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Judging by the way the grass looks, they must be really dried out. That won't help them at all. 
    All fruiting plants of that kind need a fair amount of moisture, and won't like drying out, so they either don't produce many buds and shed flowers, and therefore fruits, to save themselves.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • emma louemma lou Posts: 170
    Ok thanks..I did wonder this but is not practical to keep them well watered daily. Do I need to water them now after pruning or start again in late Spring?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Unfortunately, it's not possible for me to say, because I can't see them 'live'.
    Not much point in watering them if you're about to prune them though, unless the ground is bone dry, but you'll surely get enough rainfall over the next 6 months unless you're in one of those seriously drought ridden areas of the south east of England?
    You would never water daily though. If you have to water due to lack of rainfall, you'd soak them thoroughly, then leave them for a few days. Light, daily watering is no use for any plant as it encourages roots to stay nearer the surface, rather than getting down properly into the soil, so that they can access moisture if needed when rain is in short supply. 

    It would be helpful to use some organic matter to mulch them after they're well soaked though. That will improve conditions generally for them, and help avoid moisture loss through the drier months. If you can do that every so often over winter and early spring, that should benefit them   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • emma louemma lou Posts: 170
    Thankyou. I have made a note to mulch them in Spring. That I have never done unfortunately😬!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's just a good way of generally improving your soil, whether it's light and sandy, or heavy clay. Helps retain moisture on light soil, and opens up heavier stuff to aid drainage   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    If you pruned it very hard last year, I wouldn't touch it. The best crops are on two year old wood.  Give it a feed and a mulch in the Spring.
  • emma louemma lou Posts: 170
    Yes but we had no fruit (well probably 20 blackcurrants before pruning last year? Will try with the mulch and more watering next year.
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